After a long run of familiar names and faces the longtime strong point of Jersey Shore pitching has finally turned itself over to a new younger and from what we have seen so far......familiar results. Gone are the leaders in most Jersey pitching categories. Jaime Saenz, Jose Gomes, Lucio Tapia and Daniel Morris have all left over the last 4 off seasons testing free agency and chasing big bucks.
Two weeks before the All-Star break the D-bags bullpen stands with a respectable 3.38 ERA, which is good for 5th in a strong CL. While this could be more impressive, remember that this include Hyo-chin Kim missing the entire season with Tommy John Surgery. Kim finished 3rd in bullpen VORP behind Saenz and new closer Jose Ruiz. So where did this group come from and how did they get here? Let's meet them.
Phillip Moran, 31 years old. Acquired in trade with LA Bruins, 12/8/2018. The elder statesmen of the group and the newest member as well. Moran was lost in the shuffle of a strong rotation and strong pen in LA. He almost has as many games and innings as he had in the past 2 seasons as a Bruin. A hard throwing lefty who is usually one of the first men out of the pen.
Yin-zhen Zong, 28 years old. Drafted by Jersey Shore in the 7th round of the 2013 draft. Zong is one of a handful of players drafted past the 5th round of the 2013 draft to see the Major Leagues. He spent 5 years in the minor leagues before becoming a contributing member of the pen last season. He started the years as the set-up man, but with a knack of giving up the long ball, 9 HR in 37.2 IP, he has been regulated to middle relief duty. Like Moran, a very hard thrower, averages nearly 13 K/9.
Junior Mateo, 24 years old. Discovered by Jersey scouts during the 2015 season. Mateo worked his way through the Jersey farm system finding a spot in the bullpen just this season. In fact on the season he has only pitched 11 innings so far. His high movement and high groundball percentage makes me an excellent candidate for a D-Bag pitcher though his control is on the low side. He can hit 101 MPH on a good day.
Pedro Vega, 24 years old. Discovered by Jersey scouts during the 2013 season. Vega was in his 7th season in the minor leagues before being promoted earlier this year due to injuries. He projects as a middle of the road left handed bullpen arm who should succeed if he keeps the ball out of the upper half of the strike zone. Has appeared sparingly this season only seeing 9 innings of action.
Gerald Johnson, 23 years old. Drafted in the 2015 Supplemental Round 1, pick acquired for loss of CL Gordon Brown. Johnson went from A ball to AAA last season and this year is sharing the primary set-up man duties with Angel Lara. Possibly the most talented member of the pen, Johnson throws two nasty pitches in his fastball and change-up while striking batters out at a high rate. The one part of his game which isn't refined is his control. He has walked 21 batters this season.
Angel Lara, 23 years old. Signed as a Minor League free agent in 2013. Lara broke out last season, posting a 2.93 ERA in 55 IP and though his ERA has been higher this year, he has been a much more efficient pitcher. He can hit 99 MPH with his fastball and has a devastating 2nd pitch in his curve-ball and in 85+ IP in his Major League career has only allowed 2 HR.
Jose Ruiz, 26 years old. Discovered by Jersey scouts during the 2010 season. Though it's not 100 percent certain, we think Ruiz was the first player discovered by Jersey Shore in the history of the franchise as a 16 year old. Being in the organization since 2010 puts him on a shortlist of players to be with the franchise since then. He first appeared in the pen during the 2014 season and at age 26, this is his 5th big league season and 1st as a closer. He may not stick in that position but has been great so far. He leads the CL in saves with 22 and has a WHIP under 1.00.
Hopefully a couple of these young guns can plant their places and once be known as a Jaime Saenz or a Jose Gomes. Until then it will be fun to watch them improve and backup a rotation that has rebounded nicely from the disaster that was 2018.
GO D-BAGS
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